Interview with Heather Kent

She is one super clever etsian. I love her work and I’m sure you will too. Be sure to check out the links at the end of the interview.

I would consider myself an unusual person, but with a not-that-unusual-life. I have a wonderful husband Nathan, a silly bull terrier Margot, a crazy family, and a handful of the best friends a girl could ask for. I live in Sunny California and so of course I adore the ocean. I love swimming, taking walks, dogs (and teaching tricks to mine), collecting boxes, and going in open houses. I’m usually barefoot and always wear my hair the same.

Every day is a little bit different, but this how I begin my ideal day: Wake up. Swim a mile. Drink coffee. Eat breakfast. Turn on music. Respond to emails/messages/orders.

After I’ve caught up responding to all my emails and messages, I bring up my spreadsheet with all my orders and figure out which ones I need to get done that day. I cut up all the paper to fit into the pendants before I begin painting. I will usually paint for several hours, until about 4:30, which is the time I will start making dinner. I try to limit the hours I work in the evening, but I will usually go back to work for a few more hours at night, painting, pouring resin, preparing shipments, networking, responding to more emails, etc.

I have been painting all my life, I can’t remember the first time. Art runs in my family, and my mom used to teach art classes to the neighborhood kids out of our dining room.

All the art in my shop is painted in watercolor. I also enjoy working with acrylic. I also thoroughly enjoy working with oil paints, but I currently don’t have the space or ventilation to use that delicious medium.

My inpiration comes from the beauty in God’s creation. 

Also happiness. I love painting things that bring joy to people.

If you are in a creative rut, I recommend taking a little break. Go visit new places, get some fresh air, get some rest. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re back from your break, and still feel like you’re in a rut, I’d encourage you to just get to work anyways. Work through the rut, and you’ll come out on the other end.

Right now, it’s messy. VERY messy. My work space is in a room that is attached to our living room area, and I have tables all the way down the room. I am addicted to boxes and compartments, so I have a lot of cubbies, cigar boxes, and letterpress trays for organization. I have big dreams for a future workspace, but right now this space in our little rental works out just fine.

I used to sell consignment in some local boutiques, and I have sold at a few craft fairs. I really enjoy craft fairs, but it is very difficult to balance selling online with preparing for craft fairs. I’d rather do one or the other.

Online. I love the aspect of being able to sell to anyone in the world.

Find something you are passionate about. Be unique. Don’t copy ideas. Learn as much as you can. Make friends. Network. Make sure you love what you do, and do it to the best of your ability. Be prepared to work hard.

Yes! He has a shop, Mr Moss selling handmade bow ties and neckties that he has constructed from upcycled clothing. (Mostly vintage pants). Most weeks he works 6 days, so he has not had a lot of time to donate to his etsy shop, but hopefully soon he will have new, amazing inventory.

When I find a crafty website I like, I spend hours on end paroozing it’s pages, so I actually avoid endulging in such things too often, but I love hearing about new ones! I wish I had more time for that.

I would be Hamm. I love a good wise crack, have street smarts, and am very objective. I also like the idea that he is a bank.

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Thanks Heather for taking the time to chat with me.

I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of you on Crafted. 🙂